Why graphic design skills are beneficial in PR

You’ve got the idea, you’ve got the strategy and you’ve got the skills, now execute it! As a practicing PR professional, developing design skills is the cherry on top a perfect marketing package. We can all agree that new trends and opportunities are arising and the only answer is to adapt to them. There new ways to find audiences, emerging new mediums through which to convey messages, tons of opportunities to connect a brand and engage with influencers. The element that will drive this opportunity is visual communication. Now is the time to dabble in Adobe Creative Suites, tell a story through design, and produce quality work to call your own.

Communicate Through Images
While reading through a magazine or scrolling news feed, what catches your eye? The pages of text and words? No way, it’s the graphics, the font, the unique colors, and the visual elements and photographs that communicate a story. Infographics and multimedia content is on the rise. It’s a quick way to engage and attract new audiences. Designing your idea will force public relation professionals to think visually and illustrate the message.

Broaden Perspective
Thinking visually forces indiviuals into the shoes of a designer. Playing the role of a designer will educate the edit and execution process behind designing. Understanding the ins and outs of roles that make up a team will blend the team, produce work more cohesive, and timely. The possibilities become endless after understanding and playing the role of a designer, copywriter, or social media guru of the team. 

Enhance Your Message
The objectives are formatted, the word jargon is superior, and the writing is superb. Now enhance it with a little design love. Visual cues are a key communicate tool. It’s a one-way ticket to drive your message through the congested media traffic and land yourself in top-of-mind of potential influencers. A related design to the content created will gain more attention and make the work look polished.

Saves Time
On average, a person receives over 100 emails a day, skip the constant emails back and forth and the struggling of finding an available designer; just make it! Creating a unique design on your own will provide the freedom to create a design based upon the elements, feel, and information the user desires. It’ll save time, money, and the stress of meeting requirements.

Make You Look Good
Employers look for a well-rounded and diverse skill set in advertising and public relations students. With the capability to design and execute even the simplest of designs will put interviewees above a majority of the competition. It just makes you look good.

Start exploring and creating. You’ll be amazed the things you can achieve by just trying. 

Lindsey VanDenBoom, Account Associate | Lindsey is a senior at Grand Valley State University graduating with a major in Communication Studies and minor in Ad & PR and Art. She has a passion for seeking beauty in the simplest of things. Aside from the hustle and bustle of classes, intern and work, you can find her dancing, exploring new places, or enjoying a PB&J.